Financial Information

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Income from student tuition does not cover the cost of a student’s education. Substantial amounts must be raised each year by the University to cover the difference between what students pay and the cost of their education. Expenses at Philadelphia Biblical University are moderate and can be maintained at this level only by the generous gifts of individuals, churches, and organizations.

General Costs

Personal Expenses

Personal expenses naturally vary with personal tastes, needs and income. These expenses may include such things as books, laundry, transportation, personal supplies, and costs associated with social events.

Transportation Costs

The cost of transportation for a commuting student varies according to the distance and the means. Train and bus services are available.

A resident student must consider the cost of traveling to and from the University on vacations.

Transcript Fees

The normal processing fee is $5.00

Settlement of Accounts

Before registration is complete all students are responsible for payment in full of all tuition, fees, and room and board charges, and/or the submission of an approved financial planning sheet, with payment schedule shown.

Withdrawal Refund Policies

University Withdrawal

Students who withdraw from the University are entitled to an adjustment on their semester bill as listed below, provided they notify the Student Development Department in writing of their intentions. A personal interview with one of the deans is also necessary before a withdrawal becomes complete and final. If a withdrawal then follows, the official date of withdrawal shall be the date established by the Registrar’s Office as the last date of attendance. Merely ceasing from class attendance or giving an oral statement of intention does not constitute a basis for official withdrawal. No refund is made until withdrawal forms are properly signed and submitted to the Business Services Department. Forms may be obtained from the Student Development Department.

Refund Chart

Reduction of Aid Upon University Withdrawal

When a student withdraws from the University prior to completion of a semester, aid from federal and state governments and the University will be reduced or returned according to the stipulations of each individual aid program. Calculations will be made following the student’s completion of the withdrawal process.

Aid from private and other sources will be governed by any conditions specified by the donor(s).

Return of Federal Title IV Funds Upon Withdrawal

A “Return of Federal Title IV Funds Calculation” will be done for students who are Federal Title IV aid recipients upon withdrawal from the University during the first 60% of a semester. Federal Title IV aid programs included are: Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and FFELP (Stafford and/or PLUS) Loans. Federal aid funds are considered “earned” based on the percentage of the semester actually completed. In some cases, funds already disbursed to the student will need to be returned to the federal program. For more information about this calculation, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Consumer Information

Individuals who desire to review any consumer information required by federal regulations may contact the Financial Aid Office.

Reduction of Aid Upon Course Withdrawal

Students who withdraw from courses during a semester, but after the end of the published drop/add period, will not have their aid adjusted unless the withdrawals result in a reduction of tuition charged. In cases where tuition charges are reduced, financial aid will be recalculated to reflect the student’s new enrollment status.

Students in the Advance program should note that adjustments to financial aid will be made as changes in modules are recorded in University records.

The date of official course withdrawal is the date the signed withdrawal form is submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Notification of course load adjustment and date is given to the Business Services Department and Financial Aid Office by the Registrar’s Office and appropriate adjustments, if necessary, will be made.

• It is the policy of the University to offer the student a quality education at the lowest possible cost. The charge to students is only a portion of the total cost of their education. Additional funds are derived from gifts to the University from a dedicated Christian constituency. Thus, in effect, every student receives scholarship aid.
• It is the desire of the University to assist the student by providing the most practical and efficient approach to the matter of finances. A full student financial aid program, including grants, scholarships, loans and employment, offers any student a realistic opportunity to finance a college education .
• Most financial aid is awarded to students on the basis of documented financial need. “Need” is defined as the cost of education minus expected family contribution. Expected family contribution is determined by use of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completed by the student annually. Philadelphia Biblical University’s deadline for receipt of the results of the FAFSA is May 1 for students applying for fall semester each year.
• The Financial Aid Office is available to assist students and their families by providing advice and suggestions which are suitable for the individual’s personal financial status. Additional information on any of the financial aid programs may be secured by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

In order to receive financial aid, a student must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Enrollment as a regular (matriculating) student in a degree, certificate, or certification program.
• Maintenance of satisfactory academic progress as defined below. Note that satisfactory progress standards for receipt of financial aid may differ from minimum University standards for continued enrollment.
• For Federal Title IV aid programs, student recipients must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, and certify that funds will be used only for educational expenses.
• Student recipients of Federal Title IV aid must certify that they are not in default on any Federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant.
• Meet all other specific requirements of the program providing the aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must meet both quantitative and qualitative standards in order to remain eligible for aid. The University evaluates student academic records annually following the end of spring semester.

Students who lose eligibility for aid because of unsatisfactory academic progress will have eligibility reinstated following the semester in which they resume making satisfactory progress.

Students who wish to appeal the loss of aid eligibility may do so by contacting the Director of Financial Aid. In cases where unusual extenuating circumstances exist, eligibility may be reinstated.

Quantitative Academic Progress Students must pass a minimum of 67% of the cumulative number of credit hours attempted.
Course and/or University withdrawals during the drop/add period will not be counted in the calculation of academic progress.

Qualitative Academic Progress Students must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA based on the number of credit hours earned as follows:

Maximum Time Frame The maximum time frame for which a student may be eligible for Federal Title IV aid is 150% of the normal time for degree completion, measured in the number of credit hours attempted. Transfer hours are included in calculation of total hours completed and used in determining an individual’s maximum time frame.

Federal Title IV Aid Programs

Philadelphia Biblical University students who qualify receive federal aid in the form of Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Stafford Student Loans, Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, and Federal Work Study employment.

National Guard and Veterans Benefits

Students may use National Guard or Veterans benefits at Philadelphia Biblical University which is an eligible institution. Contact the Financial Aid Office concerning processing for these programs.

State Grant Programs

Pennsylvania residents in undergraduate programs who qualify receive PHEAA Grants. University students from Connecticut, Delaware, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont may also receive assistance from their home state grant programs.

Details on application, amounts of aid and eligibility requirements are provided in the PBU Financial Aid Brochure.

See also below for financial information about specific programs.

This additional information is specific to the Bachelor’s Degree Programs. To obtain financial information which is common to all undergraduate programs, see above.

Tuition and Fees 2005-2006

Cost for a resident student for the 2005-06 year is approximately $20,600; for a commuting student, $14,500. These figures do not include miscellaneous or music fees. The breakdown of these charges is as follows:

New Student Fees

Tuition

Dining and Residence Hall Fees

Student Services and Activity Fees

Miscellaneous Fees/Costs

Course Fees

Music Fees

(Note: During the fall and spring semesters, students enrolled in a music program do not pay this extra charge for required applied music credits. Anyone who studies privately for credit during the summer must pay this fee.)

Instrumental Rental Fee $25.00

(Applies to all students taking Class Woodwinds, Strings, Brass, Percussion, Piano or Instrumental Methods.)

Tuition Management Services (TMS)

This outside organization provides a convenient ten-month payment plan for PBU students and/or their parents. Students apply yearly and pay an annual enrollment fee of $53.00 with no interest or additional fees. Payments begin June 15. For more information about TMS, call the student accounts counselor at (215) 702-4207. Application forms are also available from the University.

Financial Aid Programs

PBU Scholarships and Grants

The University provides opportunities to new freshman and transfer students for both academic scholarships and need-based grants. These awards are available to full-time, matriculating undergraduates enrolled at the Langhorne Manor campus. Information on application and policies pertaining to these programs is available by contacting either the Financial Aid Office or the Admissions Office.

Endowed Scholarships

A number of scholarships provided by donor-funded endowments are made available to both new and continuing undergraduate students each year. In order to receive these scholarships, students must complete written applications distributed from the Financial Aid Office each spring. Most endowed scholarships have specific criteria related to academic program or performance, leadership, Christian service or professional goals. A list of these scholarships is found in the PBU Financial Aid Brochure.

Music Scholarships

The School of Music & Performing Arts awards a number of scholarships to entering music majors each year. Auditions are required. Categories include voice, piano, organ, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and composition. Scholarships range in value from $3,000 ($300 per semester) to $15,000 ($1,500 per semester). The applicant should contact the School of Music & Performing Arts for information about audition procedures and dates.

Employment

On-campus jobs are held by students in the areas of food service, housekeeping, security, library, clerical services, maintenance, and the Athletic Department. Students are normally scheduled to work between 10 and 20 hours per week. Some opportunities exist for students to work full-time during breaks in the academic year as well as in the summer.

An important part of the Federal Work Study program is community service employment. Undergraduates who qualify may participate by tutoring elementary school students in a school district near the University.

To request the University’s current financial aid information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Email: financial.aid@pbu.edu

Telephone: (800) 366-0049

This information is specific to the Advance Degree Completion Program. To obtain financial information which is common to all undergraduate programs, see above.

Costs

This information is specific to the Wisconsin Wilderness Program. To obtain financial information which is common to all undergraduate programs, see above.

Costs

Cost for the 2005-2006 year is approximately $16,475. The breakdown of this cost is as follows:

Students are also required to work approximately eight hours a week on campus as part of the community experience at WWC.

This information is specific to the Bible Enrichment program, offered only in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. To obtain financial information which is common to all undergraduate programs, see above.

This information is specific to the Institute of Jewish Studies program. To obtain financial information which is common to all undergraduate programs, see above.

The cost for students in the IJS program are the same as that of students enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program on the Langhorne Campus (see Bachelor’s Degree program). In addition, IJS students pay a $125 field-trip fee, which covers all IJS field trips throughout the year. The Israel study tour is not covered by regular tuition/fees and is an additional $2,500 (approximately).

In addition to the financial aid offered to Bachelor’s Degree students, The Friends of Israel has a scholarship program especially for IJS students. To apply for this scholarship, students should contact the IJS secretary.

This information is specific to the Biblical Foundations program. To obtain financial information which is common to all undergraduate programs, see above.

The cost for students in the Biblical Foundations program is the same as that of students enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program on the Langhorne Campus (see Bachelor’s Degree Programs above).